Similarly, you can develop strategies to lower or overcome your barriers to fundraising. But first, you must know what those barriers are. Try this little exercise.

Close your eyes. Call to mind someone who could donate $1,000. Imagine you’re about to ask them for a gift. How do you feel? What are you afraid of? What’s stopping you? Here’s a list of common “Yeah, buts…” Check all that apply:

___ They’ll feel like I’m using our friendship to get money.

___ They won’t like me, they’ll reject me

___ I/they will be embarrassed

___ I don’t want the donor to feel uncomfortable/awkward

___ I don’t know how much to request/if they can afford it

___ They’ll say no or I’ll fail

___ I don’t know what to say/don’t have enough information/need a plan

The more Yeah, buts… you have, the higher your score. If you checked only one or two, you can probably overcome them by using my five-step method (see below). If you checked all nine and listed one or more besides, you’re a 10, and may be unable to ask at all.

If you’re fearless, if you checked none of the above, what are you waiting for? Stop reading this blog and go ask for a gift!

Understanding your fundraising “Yeah, buts”

The good news is, I don’t wantyou to ask your friends to give if you think you’ll alienate them. I don’t want you to ask if you don’t know how much to request, if you don’t know what to say nor if you have reason to believe they’ll turn you down.

Who in their right mind would do that?

I want to show you how the flip side of your fear is often your asking strength. Playing to your strengths, you can overcomeyour fears. For example, if you checked # 1-4 above, you probably have great social skills, like my friend Lara, a therapist. Rather than asking directly, you might facilitate a conversation between your donor friend and your nonprofit’s CEO that results in a gift! Everyone is different. Discover your Asking Personality to learn who, where, when, how you should ask, and how you can do so in ways at which you’ll excel.

You can lower your barriers by using my signature five-step method, which starts with thanking, not asking, proceeding through the steps so by the time you get to the last step, asking, you’re practically guaranteed a “Yes!”

Take-away: Don’t overlook introverts when hiring your next development director.

“You have the fundraising gene.”

I get that a lot from friends and acquaintances. What they mean is, “You’re extraverted, outgoing and not afraid to ask.”

They’re wrong.

I am an extravert, but my confidence and skill come from decades of professional experience. When I started my career, I was so scared I had to smoke a cigarette before I could summon up the courage to get on the phone to ask someone to volunteer. Not to give. Just to volunteer.

More than 90% of respondents use the personal ask, more than any other tactic.

70% of those surveyed found personal solicitation was more effective than in the past.

Peer-to-peer campaigns were increasingly successful for 50% of these nonprofits.

87% still use, and 1/3 plan to increase their investment in, direct mail.

More than half expect to boost their use of social media.

Only 13% used mobile/text messaging as one of their fundraising channels.

Apparently, the more we communicate digitally, the more powerful live, in-person human contact becomes. Study participants found that employing a strategic mix of automated and in-person communication achieved optimal results.

Yet many nonprofits are mute, unable to speak in this multi-channel world.

Participant/Regional 6

Awesome! In just 3 hours, she shed light on our fundraising challenges.

Participant/Regional 6
Executive Director
Dress for Success

2016-06-14T21:35:28+00:00

Participant/Regional 6
Executive Director
Dress for Success

Awesome! In just 3 hours, she shed light on our fundraising challenges.

http://vmja.com/testimonials/participantregional-6/

Participant/Regional 5

Every volunteer board member should do this exercise.

Participant/Regional 5
Executive Director
Dress for Success

2016-06-14T21:34:20+00:00

Participant/Regional 5
Executive Director
Dress for Success

Every volunteer board member should do this exercise.

http://vmja.com/testimonials/participantregional-5/

Ellen B. Epstein

I could have listened to Val all night! She presented the material with such clarity, enthusiasm and humor that it was truly enjoyable to be in the audience. I have received many calls and emails from colleagues who attended and were very impressed by the quality of the educational program. As you know, Sponsorship is a subject near and dear to my heart. Thank you!

I could have listened to Val all night! She presented the material with such clarity, enthusiasm and humor that it was truly enjoyable to be in the audience. I have received many calls and emails from colleagues who attended and were very impressed by the quality of the educational program. As you know, Sponsorship is a subject near and dear to my heart. Thank you!